Raymond T. Pryor

Raymond T. Pryor slipped peacefully from this life into the next on Monday, January 3, 2011 at his residence in West Shores Retirement Community, in Hot Springs, Arkansas with his family nearby. Born May 13, 1920 in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to Raymond and Gladys Ogg Pryor, he grew up in Little Rock attending local schools graduating from LRHS in 1938. He attended LR Junior College and the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where he majored in accounting and was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. While attending LRJC, Raymond earned his pilot's license having been enrolled in Civil Pilot Training and Aerobatics, a move that was to prove quite significant later. Predeceased by his parents, his wife, Billie, of 60 years, his brother, William Pryor and sister-in-law, Helen Pryor and brother-in-law, Owen Wahlstrom. He is survived by two daughters and one son-in-law, Mickey and Jim Grigsby and Jo Ann Pryor all of Hot Springs. Survivors also include sister-in-law, Marilyn Wahlstrom of Bountiful, Utah, two grandsons and wives, Steven and Jenny Grigsby of Edmond, Okla., David and Jennifer Grigsby of Houston, Texas, great-grandsons, Reid and Jack Grigsby of Edmond and Sam and Ben Grigsby of Houston along with many nieces and nephews. Raymond has been described as a true American hero. In the early part of 1941, prior to the United States entering WWII, Raymond volunteered for the Royal Canadian Air Force. With the attack on Pearl Harbor he changed course and entered the U.S. Army Air Corp. After extensive training he moved from the B-26, volunteering for B-17's and was assigned to the 545th Bomb Squad, 384th Bomb Group of the 8th Air force stationed in Grafton-Underwood, England. He was one of the first pilots to volunteer for training in Pathfinder engaging in high altitude precision bombing. He flew 31 combat missions including 17 leads, 11 wing leads and one 8th Air Force lead receiving the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters as well as the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was extended for six missions including two on D Day where he described the air assault as airplanes flying wing tip to wing tip literally covering the sky. Raymond returned from the war having attained the rank of captain, later promoted to major in the reserves. On returning from military service he was employed by Fred T. Breitzke, owner of the Mayflower Dairy Co. When Mr. Breitzke sold the diary to the Borden Company in 1954, Raymond continued to work for Borden eventually rising to head the milk and diary division as president until his retirement in 1977. Recognized as a leader in the diary industry in the United States, Raymond achieved notable awards and recognition for his outstanding work. Throughout his distinguished career and later into retirement, Raymond had two great passions. He was an outstanding golfer and enjoyed many of the finest courses across the country including his most "difficult" experience at Pine Valley in New Jersey. He also enjoyed playing many other courses such as The Masters course in Augusta and Pebble Beach in California. He often reflected on these experiences but actually reserved many of his more treasured moments for his other great love, his hunting trips across the country in which he recalled some of his best times with old and dear friends. Raymond was a long time member of First Baptist Church of Hot Springs, founding member of the Burwell class, President of the Men of the Church and active member of the Gideon's. He was quietly a very generous man giving liberally to many individuals and ministries throughout his long life. In his final years his greatest desire was to join his wife, Billie, who preceded him into an eternity with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The family is confident that we shall all be together with them in a new heaven and a new earth eternally grateful and looking forward to God's plans for us which will be perfect! Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 6 at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at Crestview Cemetery beginning at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 7. Brother Robert Sowell will be officiating. Memorials may be made to Jackson House, Potter's Clay Ministries or First Baptist Church all of Hot Springs. Guests may register at www.caruth-hale.com.